Healthy Eating: What Does it Really Mean to Eat Well? | Emily Paulsen & Laura Pensiero
We hear about healthy eating all the time—but what does it actually mean? Is it about cutting out sugar? Following the latest diet trend? Eating clean, whatever that means?
For so long, I thought eating well was about rules and restriction, but the more I learn, the more I realize that true nourishment looks very different from what diet culture tells us. That’s why I invited Laura Pensiero, a chef, nutritionist, and culinary consultant, onto Curious Life of a Childfree Woman to help me rethink what it really means to eat well.
Why Do We Overcomplicate Nutrition?
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation was how much we overcomplicate food. Instead of listening to our bodies, we follow extreme diets, stress over labels, and get caught up in the latest health trends. But healthy eating isn’t about perfection—it’s about sustainability.
Laura shared that when we focus on adding more nutrient-rich foods instead of obsessing over what to eliminate, everything shifts. We start to feel better, cravings change, and nutrition becomes about joy and abundance, not guilt and restriction.
The Connection Between Food, Gut Health, and Longevity
I also learned just how much gut health impacts everything—from digestion to energy levels to mental clarity. If our microbiome is out of balance, our whole body feels it. What we eat either supports gut health or disrupts it, which is why focusing on whole, anti-inflammatory foods can have such a huge impact on how we feel.
Laura broke down the science behind foods that help reduce inflammation, support digestion, and keep us feeling our best. And the best part? It’s not about cutting out everything we love. It’s about making small shifts that add up over time.
Breaking Free From Diet Culture
If you’ve ever felt like eating well is confusing and overwhelming, you’re not alone. But what if we stopped thinking about food in terms of “good” and “bad” and instead focused on what makes us feel our best?
That’s the mindset shift this episode inspired for me—moving away from restriction and toward nourishment.
Curious About Making Nutrition Feel Easier?
If you’ve ever struggled with food, felt overwhelmed by nutrition advice, or wanted to find a way of eating that feels simple, joyful, and sustainable, this episode is for you.
Here are a few small, actionable shifts that can make healthy eating feel effortless instead of overwhelming:
Add more, don’t restrict – Instead of focusing on what to eliminate, think about what you can add to your meals (more fiber, protein, or healthy fats).
Prioritize whole foods – The fewer ingredients, the better. Fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are great places to start.
Support gut health – Your microbiome affects everything! Fermented foods, fiber, and prebiotics help keep digestion (and energy levels) in check.
Make small swaps – Try olive oil instead of processed seed oils, whole grains instead of refined, or berries instead of sugary snacks.
Cook at home more often – Even simple meals with fresh ingredients will give you more control over what you’re eating—without the stress of strict meal plans.
Ditch the all-or-nothing mindset – One “unhealthy” meal doesn’t undo all your progress. It’s what you do most of the time that matters.
Let’s Stay Curious Together
I’d love to hear your thoughts—what’s one small shift you’ve made in your eating habits that actually stuck? DM me on Instagram at @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman or leave a comment and let’s keep the conversation going!
